Scott Hansen offers insight into the All Blacks starting halves combination

With Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga now in Japan, the All Blacks are on the hunt for a new starting half duo, with one man in charge of the golden selections.

Assistant coach Scott Hansen is responsible for directing the All Blacks’ defence and also specialises in the halfback and number 10 positions, both key choices for a dynamic attacking team.

Halfback was one of the most hotly contested positions for selection for the All Blacks during the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, but as the finals approached it became increasingly clear who the top three candidates were.

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TJ Perenara returned to his usual physical, competitive and accurate self for the Hurricanes, Finlay Christie resumed his sharp work for the champions in Auckland and youngster Cortez Ratima continued his impressive rise through the ranks for the Chiefs.

Perenara has the most experience, something the coaches value in what is a younger team after the World Cup exodus, but Christie is the only member of the current squad involved in last year’s World Cup campaign and has relationships with two of the players in contention for the No 10 shirt: Beauden Barrett and Stephen Perofeta. Ratima, on the other hand, knows the unpredictable talent of Damian McKenzie best, making selections a complex decision.

New Zealand

England

Hansen outlined what he expected from the three candidates ahead of the team’s first test of the year.

“The most important thing for management is how they approach it,” Hansen told media in Wellington at the start of the first week of testing.

“So, what do their weeks look like? How do they put the group together? Despite the (differences in) test numbers, how do they lead during the week? That’s what I look at.

“I will say, TJ, his connection with the group, his ability to connect our game with our defense and offense, has been really good this week.

“The young Cortez brings energy and enthusiasm, lots of smiles and a tremendous amount of energy to the field.

“And then Fin, he’s just the ultimate professional in terms of consistency and filling the roles we need.

“So we have three very good halfbacks to choose from, just as we have three very good tens to choose from.”

Of the ten mentioned above, McKenzie is the favourite to secure a starting place, given his form and age, something the coaches are clearly aware of as they embark on a new World Cup cycle.

According to Hansen, the selections for the English series would mainly be based on the skills that best suit the match.

“We look at the opponent, we look at their strengths, we look at the chances for us and the game we want to play, and then we put in the 10 that we think will give us the result we need.

“What I can say about Beaudy coming in and sitting down, the calmness, the clarity he gives, I’m so impressed with Beaudy.

“His care for the group; he’s a proud All Black and I really enjoyed being with Beaudy for the first time.”